산촌 중학교 보건교사의 코로나19 집단감염 발생 대응 사례

A Case Report of the COVID-19 Outbreak Response by a Middle School Health Teacher in a Mountain Village

Purpose: This study aimed to describe a school health teacher’s experience working in a mountain village during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021. Methods: The study used a case study method based on the school records and reports to the local office of education. Results: In T City, since the first COVID-19 case confirmed on March 8, 2020, as of May 17, 21, a total of 21 cases have occurred, including two third-year students of H Middle School. Since then, one additional case was confirmed on May 18, one more on May 25, and one more on May 27, resulting in a total of five confirmed cases. During this period, 42 students and 13 teachers were self-quarantined, all students and staff were tested for COVID-19 PCR, and students received remote classes. The role of school health teacher can be described through three categories: “collaborator”, “care coordinator”, and “educator”. The school health teacher did a lot of work until the situation came to an end, successfully fulfilling these three roles. Conclusion: Some suggestions were made to prepare a more effective communicable disease response system suitable for public health infrastructure of non-urban area.